118 BRAGGADOCIO.

up in brown paper,” said Tom, as he spied the
paper parcel.

“ Kat your dinner, and I will tell you after-
wards.”

“ Bessie, you will have your own way, come
what will.”

“TI try to have you do things at the right
time ; and I won’t give up trying till you do.
Don’t choke yourself to death before you have
a chance to taste of Ada Cramer’s cakes.
There now, you eat more moderately—I’'ll soon
begin my story.”

“Come, now for the nice cakes. They are
nice, to be sure—delicious,” said Tom.

Bessie began clearing off the table, and as
she did so, commenced relating her adventures
at Rose Lawn. Then she washed the dishes,
and kept on talking, without interruption, till
she came to the offer of the two dollars from
Mr. Cramer.

“ And did you take the money, Bessie, be-
forehand? How could you do such a thing?”

“T couldn’t, Tom, or, at least, I wouldn’t;
80, you see, Mr. Cramer said we might have
the island for fifty cents a year; and there, in